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Aylmers in business

Land Rovers at home and away

On the home page I mention the Italian Aylmer connection, the 14th century monk Aylmer of Piacenza. Today, about 20 miles / 30km east of Piacenza, you can buy one of the sturdy English-built range of Land Rover and Range Rover vehicles from Aylmer Motors.

There’s another Aylmer Motors selling Land Rovers in Hertfordshire, not far north of London, but I’m not sure that they are related; the Italian firm claims descent from an English company in 1977, but the present Hertfordshire firm has barely been going that long.

In the can

The Aylmer canned foods range flourished in Canada for many years. The brand was formerly owned by Kraft, until sold to the Ontario-based firm CanGro foods, and (in 2007) on to Baxters Canada. At its peak it was a substantial range, encompassing tomatoes, vegetables, fruits, soup, and beans.

In Virginia

Finally, the Aylmer family of Petersburg, Virginia, United States of the mid-19th century were successful in business. Georgetown University maintains a small collection of their papers, principally between Robert R. Aylmer and his father (Henry) and mother during the years he spent at Georgetown and Mount St. Mary’s College. This appears to have been a successful Catholic family.